Airlines around the world are facing scrutiny from advertising and consumer agencies, regulators, and courts over allegedly making misleading claims about their sustainability efforts, sometimes dubbed “greenwashing”.
25.08.2023 - 13:34 / skift.com / Pete Buttigieg / Summer Travel / Toby Enqvist / Airlines
After two successive summers of travel chaos, U.S. airlines are going all out to prevent large-scale flight disruptions in the face of rising demand.
Carriers have trimmed flight schedules, beefed up staffing, and invested in airport infrastructure and technology to be ready for the busiest travel season of the year, starting with the traditional kickoff on the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
Summer tends to be the most profitable season for airlines, but it is also the busiest time of the year, raising the stakes.
Industry group Airlines for America estimates a record 256.8 million passengers will fly in the June-August quarter, up 1% over the 254.6 million passengers in the same period in 2019.
“It is kind of our Super Bowl,” United Airlines Chief Operating Officer Toby Enqvist told Reuters.
No one wants a repeat of last December, when an operational meltdown at Southwest Airlines resulted in almost 17,000 flight cancellations, disrupting travel plans for 2 million customers.
The desire to travel for many is high, however.
Jihane Jeanty, 36, has planned trips to Florida, Mexico City and Asia this summer, thanks to her flexible work arrangement.
The Los Angeles-based marketing director is unconcerned about flight delays and cancellations even though they are “never fun.”
“It does happen, so I really don’t let it throw me anymore,” she said.
Nearly a quarter of flights were either canceled or delayed last summer, according to flight-tracking service FlightAware.
A recent survey by consultant J.D. Power shows customer satisfaction with major airlines is down significantly. The industry is also facing heat from the Biden administration, which wants airlines to compensate passengers with cash for lengthy delays.
Rising numbers of disputes between travellers and airlines globally are driving fresh legislation and calls for tougher enforcement of existing rules to protect consumers.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said this week Memorial Day will be a “test to the system.” He said delay and cancellation rates were unacceptable last year and cannot happen again.
Overall, 42.3 million Americans are estimated to travel over the May 29 U.S. Memorial Day holiday weekend, AAA estimates.
The Federal Aviation Administration estimates nearly 313,000 flights will operate over the seven-day period ending May 30, up 4.5% from 2022 and just below 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
Demand is stronger for international trips this summer, driving up airfares to Europe and Asia to the highest level in more than five years, said online travel agency Hopper.
Carriers are performing far better this year, but a shortage of air traffic controllers has forced them to trim New York City-area flights. They are flying larger
Airlines around the world are facing scrutiny from advertising and consumer agencies, regulators, and courts over allegedly making misleading claims about their sustainability efforts, sometimes dubbed “greenwashing”.
College football fans have more travel options this 2023 football season. United Airlines has added 127 nonstop flights to serve travelers wanting to attend some of the season's biggest games.
U.S. airlines and airports have geared up for a busy weekend ahead of the Labor Day holiday as travelers plan to jet off to international locations and cooler destinations.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) just revealed that it has levied a $4.1-million fine against American Airlines (AA) for keeping thousands of passengers onboard planes that sat on airport tarmacs for several hours without the option to deplane.
Summer houses are typically smaller than log cabins and used for socialising, entertaining or simply enjoying your garden all year round.
The Sharjah Airport Authority has initiated summer activities to enhance the travel experience for passengers across various age groups, with the intent to make their journey memorable during this holiday season.
Delays are an unpleasant but inevitable part of air travel, but delays on the tarmac after boarding the airplane can be especially frustrating — and potentially dangerous.
The Transportation Department fined American Airlines $4.1 million on Monday, saying the carrier violated federal rules by keeping passengers stranded on airport tarmacs for hours on dozens of occasions in recent years.
Grand Prix Season Singapore (GPSS) returns from 8 to 17 September 2023 with precinct parties at four locations and a suite of race-themed lifestyle experiences across the city. Catering to all ages and interests, GPSS complements the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2023 experience and encourages locals and visitors to explore all that Singapore has to offer.
Following a legal battle that lasted 11 years, American Airlines Group wants to force defendant Sabre Corp to pay its legal fees.
The U.S. Transportation Department (USDOT) said it planned to seek higher penalties for airlines and others that broke consumer protection rules, saying they were necessary to deter future violations.
U.S. airlines and airports are preparing for a surge in passengers over the Thanksgiving holiday, with the number of travelers expected to hit the highest level in three years.